{
  "id": 7997291,
  "title": "Flydubai expects higher fuel costs, travel curbs and aircraft delays to limit growth",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/flydubai-expects-higher-fuel-costs-travel-curbs-and-aircraft-delays-7997291",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-17T08:58:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/aviation/2026/09/17/flydubai-expects-higher-fuel-costs-travel-curbs-and-aircraft-delays-to-limit-growth/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "International travel advisories, soaring jet fuel prices, and aircraft delivery delays are hindering Flydubai's growth plans, with higher fuel costs being passed onto customers. The airline has hedged a significant portion of its position against higher jet fuel prices, but the rising costs are reflected in its air fares, according to chief executive Ghaith Al Ghaith. Jet fuel is the biggest headache due to sudden price swings making it hard to capitalize on higher air fares. The majority of Flydubai's aircraft deliveries have been postponed to 2028 due to repeated delays, leading to added costs in crew training and route openings. The travel disruptions from the Iran war have not provided operational relief as the airline aims to be at full capacity when business returns. Western governments' travel advisories against several Middle East countries are having a significant negative impact on inbound travel, particularly from Europe. Flydubai expects demand to return quickly once restrictions are lifted and anticipates returning to prewar levels or exceeding them by the end of 2026 with the addition of 11 aircraft. The airline is operating at 85% of its prewar capacity and is confident about its recovery from the conflict. Despite higher costs and travel disruptions, Flydubai expects to make a profit without redundancies or layoffs. The airline continues to invest in long-term growth, with an order book of 300 planes and expansion into premium products and cargo services.",
  "summary": "Soaring jet fuel prices, international travel advisories and aircraft delivery delays are frustrating flydubai 's growth plans, with higher fuel costs being passed on to customers. The airline has hedged a “big part” of its position against higher jet fuel prices. Still, the rising costs are reflected in its air fares, chief executive Ghaith Al Ghaith said at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai on…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Flydubai expects higher fuel costs, travel curbs and aircraft delays to limit growth",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/flydubai-expects-higher-fuel-costs-travel-curbs-and-aircraft-delays",
        "published": "2026-09-17T08:58:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}